4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside
mirror (s), and outside lights are clean.
• Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
• Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
• If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way. •
Are all doors closed and locked?
• Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
• Is everyone ’s seat belt fastened?
• Do all the lights work?
• Check all gauges.
• Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
• Release the parking brake and make
sure the parking brake warning light
goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected daily,
weekly, or at refueling, depending on
the fluid. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
J94S.book Page 6 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask a Mazda dealer to perform the
following precautions:
• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
• Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
• Use only cold-weather engine
oil (page 8-10).
• Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
• Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze —but don ’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer
fluid (page 8-20).
• Don ’t use the parking brake if it might
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with
a manual transaxle. Block the rear
wheels.
Snow Tires
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates
you may find it necessary to replace them
with snow tires during the winter months
to further improve traction on snow and
ice covered roads.
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don ’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 28 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm 2, 4
psi) more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver’ s door), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Winter Driving
Mixing Tire Types:Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle ’s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
WARNING
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 9 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
5-23
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Warning/Indicator Lights
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-25
Seat Belt Warning Light 5-25
Charging System Warning Light 5-26
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light 5-26
TCS Warning Light 5-27
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-27
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-27
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
J94S.book Page 23 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Charging System Warning Light
This warning light indicates a malfunction
of the alternator or of the charging system.
If the light comes on while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine. Inspect the alternator drive belt for looseness and
breakage.
3. If it ’s OK, the charging system has a
problem. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Engine Oil Pressure Warning
Light
This warning light indicates low engine
oil pressure.
If the light comes on while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine and inspect the engine oil level (page 8-11). If it ’s low,
add oil.
3. Check the light.
If the light remains on even after you add
oil, have your vehicle towed to the nearest
service station or to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Don
’t drive with a loose or broken
alternator belt. The engine could
overheat because this belt also drives
the water pump.
CAUTION
Don ’t run the engine if oil pressure is
low. It could result in extensive engine
damage.
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 26 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
8-1
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction ................................................................................. 8- 2
Introduction ............................................................................. 8- 2
Scheduled Maintenance .............................................................. 8- 3
Scheduled Maintenance ........................................................... 8- 3
Owner Maintenance .................................................................... 8- 7
Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................. 8- 7
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8- 8
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8- 9
Engine Oil ................................................................................ 8-10
Engine Coolant ........................................................................ 8-13
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-15
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-17
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) ........................................... 8-18
Washer Fluid ............................................................................ 8-20
Body Lubrication ..................................................................... 8-21
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-21
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-22
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-24
Tires ......................................................................................... 8-25
Light Bulbs .............................................................................. 8-29
Fuses ........................................................................................ 8-35
Appearance Care ......................................................................... 8-40
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage ..................... 8-40
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-42
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-45
J94S.book Page 1 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Schedule 1
I : Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air filter cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.) R: Replace
L : Lubricate
*1: According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or kilometrage (mileage) period to ensure long-term reliability.
Maintenance
Interval
Maintenance
Item Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first Months 6 12182430364248
×1000 Km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
(×1000 Miles) (7.5) (15) (22.5) (30) (37.5) (45) (52.5) (60)
Engine valve clearance I
Drive belts (tension) II
Engine timing belt Inspect at 96,000km (60,000miles)
Replace every 168,000km (105,000miles)
Engine oil RRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRR
Cooling system II
Engine coolant Replace at first 168,000km (105,000miles) or 60 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Idle speed II
Air filter RR
Fuel lines and hoses
*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
Spark plugs 2.0-liter engine
(non-PLATINUM tipped type)
RR
2.5-liter engine
(PLATINUM tipped type) Replace every 96,000km (60,000miles)
Brake lines, hoses and connections II
Disc brakes II
Drum brakes II
Steering operation and linkages II
Front suspension ball joints II
Driveshaft dust boots II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body II
Exhaust system heat shields II
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLL
Refrigerant amount (if installed) IIII
Compressor operation (if installed) IIII
08.fm Page 4 Monday, June 25, 2001 5:12 PM
8-5
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Schedule 2
I : Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air filter cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.) R: Replace
L : Lubricate
*1: According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or kilometrage (mileage) period to ensure long-term reliability.
*2: If the vehicle is operated in cold districts { below –18 degrees C (0 degrees F) }, replace the timing belt at 96,000km (60,000miles).
Maintenance
Interval
Maintenance
Item Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 Km 8 1624324048566472808896
(×1000 Miles) (5) (10) (15) (20) (25) (30) (35) (40) (45) (50) (55) (60)
Engine valve clearance I
Drive belts (tension) II
Engine timing belt
*2Inspect at 96,000km (60,000miles)
Replace every 168,000km (105,000miles)
Engine oil Puerto Rico
Replace every 5,000km (3,000miles) or 3 months
others RRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling system II
Engine coolant Replace at first 168,000km (105,000miles) or 60 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Engine coolant level IIIIIIIIIIII
Idle speed II
Air filter I
*1RI *1R
Fuel lines and hoses*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
Spark plugs 2.0-liter engine
(non-PLATINUM tipped type)
RR
2.5-liter engine
(PLATINUM tipped type) Replace every 96,000km (60,000miles)
Function of all lights IIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and connections II
Brake and clutch fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIII
Drum brakes II
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages II
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Front suspension ball joints II
Driveshaft dust boots II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body IIII
Exhaust system heat shields II
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLLLLLL
08.fm Page 5 Monday, June 25, 2001 5:12 PM
8-7
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Owner Maintenance
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
When Refueling
• Brake and clutch fluid level (page 8-15)
• Engine coolant level (page 8-13)
• Engine oil level (page 8-11)
• Washer fluid level (page 8-20)
At Least Monthly
• Tire inflation pressures (page 8-26)
At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
• Automatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-18)
• Power steering fluid level (page 8-17)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
• Air filter (page 8-21)
• Engine coolant (page 8-13)
• Engine oil (page 8-11)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
J94S.book Page 7 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM